2026 SPECIAL SESSION I

INTRODUCED

26200234D

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2136

Offered June 18, 2026

Celebrating the life of Geravis Anninos Brown.

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Patron—Scott, D.

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WHEREAS, Geravis Anninos Brown, an honorable veteran, trailblazing law-enforcement officer, and beloved member of the Portsmouth community, died on June 2, 2026; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Portsmouth Public Schools, Geravis Anninos “G.A.” Brown enlisted in the United States Army and served his country with honor and distinction as a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam War; and

WHEREAS, following his service, G.A. Brown briefly worked for the United States Postal Service in Washington, D.C., before devoting himself to the safety and well-being of his community by joining the Portsmouth Police Department in 1971; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown started with the Portsmouth Police Department in uniformed patrol and soon made history as the first African American K-9 officer in the Commonwealth; he then served as a detective with the homicide and larceny unit before making his mark again as the first African American public information officer in the Tidewater area; and

WHEREAS, over his years with the Portsmouth Police Department, G.A. Brown made an impact as a charter member of the Minority Police Officers Association of Portsmouth, as well as through his efforts with the Special Olympics and as a member of the Fraternal Order of Police; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown achieved the rank of sergeant in 1995 and retired in December of that year after 25 years with the force; he then served with the Norfolk International Airport Police Department before serving with the Portsmouth Sheriff's Office as a local probation officer until his full retirement in 2017; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of his service, G.A. Brown was named the Portsmouth Police Department's Police Officer of the Year in 1991; he was also presented the Citizen Valor Award in 2017 by the Portsmouth Police Department after coming to the aid of an officer in distress; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown gave generously of his time for the benefit of others, including as a dedicated member of American Legion Post #190, as a mentor to his fellow law-enforcement officers, and as a role model to his children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; and

WHEREAS, G.A. Brown will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by his loving wife of 45 years, Rosetta; his children, Angela, Alisa, Juanita, Geravis, and Kristal; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Delegates hereby note with great sadness the loss of Geravis Anninos Brown, a revered member of the Portsmouth community whose legacy of love, compassion, and service will forever inspire all who knew him; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Geravis Anninos Brown as an expression of the House of Delegates' respect for his memory.